Summary
Well that’s me done for the day. I could tell it was going to be an odd one the moment the Barbarians tried to score a try by hiding the ball up a jumper. I’m just surprised they didn’t tie the ref’s shoelaces together or stick a bit of paper saying “I smell” on Michael Cheika’s back. Hats off to Ross McCormack for his brace against Adelaide, and a tip of the hat to Brisbane Roar for their amazing comeback in Wellington. But the day undoubtedly belongs to champion mare Winx and her Cox Plate heroics. Give the old girl a sugar cube from me. Well that’s your lot from yours truly, I’m spent. Thanks for joining me, catch you next time.
Updated
Netball
Well despite the setback earlier when they lost to Jamaica, the Australians bounced back in fine style to beat New Zealand in the final Fast5 game of the day in Melbourne. The final score was a thoroughly convincing 40-30. Excellent stuff.
Rugby league - Fiji 52-6 USA
I won’t be staying until the end of this one... but let’s face it, it’s already over. Fiji are smashing the Americans and, with 15 minutes still to play, they look well on course to eclipse PNG’s winning margin from earlier today.
Full-time: Adelaide United 0-2 Melbourne City
It’s all over. Yet another ruthlessly efficient win for City built on the back of a solid defensive display - and another clean sheet despite having 10 men. Adelaide piled on the pressure but just couldn’t find a way through.
Updated
90+4 mins: A hopeful, twisting shot slices wide from Adlung. That’s what they’ve been reduced to. Some more handbags at the death. One last FK for Adelaide.
90+3 mins: Matmour comes off for Kitto. It all seems a bit academic now.
90+1 mins: O’Doherty fires a volley just wide. Surely that’s about it for the Reds. Can’t see them getting one goal let alone two.
89 mins: It’s shaping up as a remarkable win for City. Ten men and under the cosh for most of the second half, they’ve managed to keep Adelaide at arm’s length. They’ve even had the better chances too.
87 mins: City happy to run the clock down when they’re in possession. My laptop seems to be taking the same cue, it’s taking an age to load up what I type. If it was on the pitch, it would be booked for timewasting. Muscat in the book for a handball.
86 mins: O’Doherty comes on for Konstandopoulos. Last roll of the dice for Adelaide.
84 mins: Garuccio with a free-kick 20 yards out ... but he fails to beat the wall. More frustration for the Reds.
82 mins: Mauk tries to dink it over the keeper after being put clean through ...and it trickles wide! That should have been game over.
80 mins: Adelaide probing away, trying to stretch the City defence, but there are no gaps to exploit. I have to mention Kamua, who has run himself into the ground trying to give the City defence some breathing space. It’s the sort of effort defenders appreciate the most.
77 mins: Time is ticking away for Adelaide. This is ominous stuff from City. The Reds have thrown everything at them, and have an extra man, yet City have defended solidly and kept their cool under pressure. Marrone comes off for Stamatelopoulos.
75 mins: OOOF! La Rocca with a powerful header that smashes against the post. It rebounds to Mauk who fires just wide. City still a threat.
74 mins: There’s no beating Galekovic in the air tonight. He’s held onto everything. A rare City attack leads to a corner. Well played Kamau - more than anything, it’s given his side a breather.
72 mins: On comes Cahill for McCormack. Thought he was dead-set for a hat-trick at one stage but it wasn’t to be.
That was superb from Schenkeveld. He has added a lot of grit to this City back four. #ADLvMCY
— Dave (@eldantehicks) October 28, 2017
69 mins: Great tackle from Schenkeveld to block another Adelaide attack. It’s one-way traffic at the minute. How long can City hold out? Galekvoic has been superb at cutting out crosses. He snuffs out two in as many minutes.
66 mins: It’s all Adelaide now. McCormack looking very isolated high up the pitch. Tempers flaring. Blackwood goes down under a challenge from Schenkeveld and there’s a bit of handbags. The crowd are getting vocal. They can sense a goal a brewing.
Updated
64 mins: Game on. Mileusnic curls the ball goalward and it flies inches wide. It’s coming, and with an extra man the Reds have every reason to believe they can get something from this.
Updated
RED CARD - Malik (second booking)
61 mins: City playing a risky game here, inviting the Reds to do all the running - which they are. And now Malik has gone, sent off - a second booking for a flailing elbow while jumping for a header. Not sure he deserved the first one, but technically he’s right to get this one. Still seems harsh though.
Updated
60 mins: This is better from Adelaide. Good crosses coming into the box but they’re yet to make the most of them. City seem to have gone down a gear.
58 mins: Strong keeping from Galekovic to deny a Blackwood challenge in the air. Even when the Reds do get a sight of goal, Galekovic is there to clean up everything.
55 mins: Blackwood with a looping header - although Galekovic was watching it all the way. Encouraging signs for the Reds though.
54 mins: Izzo plucks Fitzgerald’s cross out of the air just as City looked threatening. That’s the risk Adelaide run as they push forward.
50 mins: It’s not bad, but the ball falls to the outside of the box and the shot skims the outside of the post. Pressure from Adelaide but nothing really to trouble Galekovic so far.
49 mins: City are giving Adelaide no space to move at all. Every time there’s a pass to a red shirt, there’s a sky blue one within a couple of yards. The Reds have got a free-kick in a good position now though. They need to use it.
47 mins: Booking for Garrucio. Dangerous sliding tackle into the back of Kamau.
Second half: Adelaide United 0-2 Melbourne City
46 mins: Peeeeep! Here we go. How do you dismantle a brick wall? That was the question Marco Kurz had 15 minutes to answer during the break. The City defence looks rock solid.
New Zealand 38-8 Samoa - AAP report
New Zealand kicked off their Rugby League World Cup campaign with a bang, blitzing Samoa in the second half of their Rugby League World Cup clash to win 38-8 in Auckland.
Despite an ill-disciplined performance in which they made 17 errors and completed barely 60 per cent of their sets, the Kiwis were too good on Saturday for their Polynesian rivals. Riding out Toa Samoa’s early crash-and-bash style and heading into halftime with a 10-4 advantage, the Kiwis piled on five tries to one in the second half.
Shaun Johnson, capitalising on strong pack performances from Marty Taupau and Russell Packer, controlled play at halfback with aplomb. He scored a try and laid on two assists as his side made an early play for top spot in Pool B, with Scotland and a much-vaunted Tonga to play on Sunday.
Wellington Phoenix 3-3 Brisbane Roar - AAP report
Brisbane battled back from a three-goal deficit to claim a 3-3 A-League draw with Wellington. Three goals inside the opening 20 minutes, including a brace to Serbian striker Andrija Kaludjerovic, looked to have wrapped up an early win for the Phoenix on Saturday at Westpac Stadium.
But the Roar, winless from the opening three rounds, stormed back in the second half to secure their first points of the season. Italian striker Massimo Maccarone added a late penalty to his 45th-minute strike as the Roar fought their way back from a 3-1 halftime deficit.
Both teams pushed forward in the closing minutes amid often fiery exchanges, but neither could provide the crucial finish to steal the win.
Half-time: Adelaide 0-2 Melbourne City
Warland with a great header but it trickles inches wide. And that’s it for the half. It’s all going according to plan for City and barring a huge momentum change at half-time they’re on course for a fourth straight win. Big team talk needed for Adelaide.
45 mins: Not long to the break and Adelaide need to regroup. Apart from that excellent save from Galekovic, City look completely untroubled. A plan B is the order of the day. And it had better be a very good plan B.
43 mins: Looks like Jamieson’s game is over. Whatever’s up with his leg has proven too much. Off he comes, replaced by Brattan in midfield. Jakobsen to left back.
42 mins: Fitzgerald bursts into the box but fires his shot straight at Izzo. Poor effort.
40 mins: Have City actually been behind at any stage this season? Not sure they have. Jamieson is down at the minute, not sure what happened but he looks a little concerned with his leg. He hops off to the sideline. The game carries on and he’s still hobbling about.
37 mins: Well we’ve already seen Brisbane Roar make an amazing comeback tonight, what’s to say Adelaide won’t do the same thing? There’s just one problem - Melbourne City are no Wellington Phoenix. This piece of insightful information was brought to you by Richard ‘Sherlock’ Gadsby.
34 mins: Booking for Malik, despite his protests. Bit too forceful with a sliding tackle - not sure it warranted a booking as he won the ball. In fact if I’d done that tackle I would’ve been thrilled.
Updated
Here’s that McCormack goal for your viewing pleasure.
Ross McCormack with a trademark free-kick! That's three goals in two games from the Aston Villa loanee. #ALeague #ADLvMCY 🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/hCiNP8Sm3F
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) October 28, 2017
30 mins: Adelaide have had more than enough possession yet somehow it’s City who are dominating. Not sure how that works. Every time City get close to the Reds penalty area, they look like they’re going to score. At the other end, there’s always someone in the City defence to make a crucial stop or save.
Eating my feelings at #ADLvMCY pic.twitter.com/XuI96omZoZ
— Stephanie Watts (@myco_research) October 28, 2017
27 mins: Good work from Kamau... in defence as well. Tracking back to win the ball on the right and smother the danger.
24 mins: Corking save from Galekovic. Warland with a cracking shot that’s bound for the top corner... until Galekovic flies through the air to tip it to safety. Excellent football all round.
23 mins: Adelaide look a little shellshocked. What have they done wrong? Not much at all ... apart from punching Mauk in the back of the head of course.
Think McCormack might be a fairly reasonable player #ADLvMCY
— Neil (@neilla001) October 28, 2017
Bit over the top but he’s not bad I suppose...
19 mins: This is ruthless stuff from City. Adelaide haven’t started that badly but City have been clinical with the chances they’ve had. Considering City have conceded just one goal this season, it’s going to be a long slog to get back into this game for Adelaide.
GOAL! Adelaide 0-2 Melbourne City - McCormack
17 mins: What a strike from McCormack! Shades of his previous goal from a free-kick - but arguably better. There was no stopping that, curling with power over the wall.
Updated
14 mins: Isaias hits a curling FK way too high. Galekovic barely moved. Adelaide have responded well though, passing and probing away. When City get their noses in front though, it’s hard to catch them up. They’re the Winx of the A-League.
Updated
GOAL! Adelaide 0-1 Melbourne City - McCormack
12 mins: McCormack smashes the penalty low into the corner, sending Izzo the wrong way in the process.
Updated
Penalty to Melbourne City!
10 mins: Mauk with a flicked header and Izzo flies into the back of his head with his fists. Pretty clear cut. Booking for Izzo and he should count himself lucky. Instead he’s arguing.
Updated
7 mins: Good start from Adelaide but City look unfazed. Three straight wins will do that. The visitors are knocking it around well enough but they haven’t shown much in the way of penetration so far. Not that that’s bothered them much season. With a defence as solid as theirs, they only need one clear chance.
5 mins: Garuccio gets a clean header on it but the direction is lacking. No troubles for Galekovic.
4 mins: Adelaide with the first meaningful attack. The Hindmarsh crowd are in the mood tonight. They get a FK in a dangerous position.
Kick-off - Adelaide 0-0 Melbourne City
1 min: Aaaaand we’re off. I’m genuinely not sure which way this one will go. If they didn’t have a few key men out to injury I would have backed Adelaide - as it is, I think City might just nick it. They’ve got that knack at the minute, an ability to play just good enough to get the win. A cagey start from both sides, happy to keep possession.
Our team is in for tonight's clash with Adelaide! Kick-off 7.50pm #ADLvMCY pic.twitter.com/aHWp8rma0l
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) October 28, 2017
Here is our line up for tonight's match versus @MelbourneCity! #AUFC #ADLvMCY #ForeverUnited pic.twitter.com/0WrqNVUg89
— Adelaide United FC (@AdelaideUnited) October 28, 2017
A-League
Tonight’s main A-League game is almost upon us - Adelaide versus Melbourne City. Here are a few match stats to get you in the mood.
- Each of the last four games between Adelaide and Melbourne City has been won by the home team on the day, with City picking up two wins in 2016/17.
- Melbourne City have won two of their last four games in Adelaide and have scored at least one goal in each of their last seven visits to the South Australian capital.
- Adelaide United are undefeated in their last five games on home turf (W2, D3), their best stretch since they went eight games without loss in 2015/16 (W6, D2).
- Wayne Joyce will be looking to become the first manager in A-League history to win his first four games as a manager in the competition.
- Only the Jets (213) have made more passes into the final third than Adelaide United (198) after three rounds this season.o Vince Lia comes into this fixture having recorded his first ever brace in the A-League.
- Johan Absalonsen is the only player so far this season to have both scored (2) and assisted (2) multiple goals.
- Eugene Galekovic, who picked up his 100th win last weekend, boasts the best save percentage (80%) of any keeper thus far in A-League 2017/18.
Rugby league - Samoa 4-26 New Zealand
Breathing space for the Kiwis, they’ve been much the better side since the break despite all of Samoa’s huff and puff. They’ve matched the visitors for energy and used their extra experience and class when it counts.
Full-time: Wellington 3-3 Brisbane Roar
A-League
Khalfallah comes so, so close to winning it in injury time for the Roar - but the ball gets stuck under his feet and he can’t get a clean strike on the rebound from a counter attack. It’s all over now anyway. Bizarre but entertaining stuff from two of the league’s struggling teams. Roar will be the far, far happier side - Phoenix will be left scratching their collective heads at how they blew a three-goal lead against a side rock bottom of the ladder. Boos all round from the home crowd.
Rugby league - Samoa 4-14 New Zealand
More video referee action over in Auckland, this time for a spill under pressure from Samoa that leads to a ‘try’ for the Kiwis. It takes a while... but it’s finally given. The Kiwis in the driving seat.
Updated
A-League - Phoenix 3-3 Brisbane
It’s all square - Maccarone buries the spot kick with a fierce strike. What a comeback from Brisbane. They look like they think they can win it. Seven minutes to go.
Updated
A-League - Penalty to Brisbane
Excitement she wrote in Wellington. Could this be a superb comeback from the Roar? A fairly clear foul in the box. Not sure why VAR was needed.
A-League - Phoenix 3-2 Brisbane
It’s all Brisbane as we approach the final quarter of an hour. Papadopoulos has got them to within one goal of earning what would be a vital point - more in terms of confidence than league position. Tip of the hat to them, my money was on Roar caving after that initial blitz from Phoenix but they’re on the verge of a superb comeback. It’ll all be for naught if they don’t turn their possession into one more goal though.
Rugby league - Samoa 4-10 New Zealand
Samoa claw themselves to within six points with a try just three minutes before the half-time break. A nasty head clash follows. It’s been that kind of game. Brutal but not dirty. They go on the attack in search of another but the siren beats them just as they’re building pressure.
Updated
A-League - Phoenix 3-1 Brisbane
It’s all about New Zealand at the minute. Over in Wellington, we’re closing in on the hour mark and there have been no further goals this half. Phoenix have been decidedly more defensive since the break - not that you can blame them. They’re hoping Roar will throw too many men forward in search of a goal. Neither side really finding much of a rhythm though. Krishna goes down right on the edge of the box - but the ref isn’t convinced.
Rugby league - Samoa 0-10 New Zealand
This is brutally enthralling stuff in Auckland. My ribs are hurting just looking at it. The Kiwis just have that touch of extra class when it matters most - although there’s nothing much in it at all and Samoa are asking all kinds of questions as we close in on the 30-minute mark. It’s been an excellent start to the World Cup so far... although the Welsh might disagree.
Rugby league - Samoa 0-4 New Zealand
We’re off and running in Auckland. The Kiwis have the lead but Samoa are smashing into the line close to the NZ try line. Grim defence from the Kiwis. They manage to hold one up. No mean feat considering the power of the attacks they’re facing. Rather them than me. Impressive stuff.
Dads army peg one back. #WELvBRI
— Glen (@GlenMudgway) October 28, 2017
W-League: Melbourne Victory 2-1 Canberra United
An excellent start to the campaign for Victory, and hopefully a sign of better things to come after a poor season last time. Three points in the bag.
Updated
A-League - Phoenix 3-1 Brisbane
Maccarone throws Roar a lifeline, pouncing on a rebound to bang home from close range just before half-time.
A-League - Phoenix 3-0 Brisbane
It’s shaping up to be a long, long flight home for Roar in their game in Wellington. Just 26 minutes gone and they’re already staring down the barrel of a fourth straight defeat. On the flip side, suggestions that Phoenix have been playing much better than their one point suggests seem well founded. Krishna and Kaluderovic (adding to his earlier effort) are the latest goal scorers.
Fast5 Netball - AAP report
Australia suffered their first loss of the 2017 Fast5 netball world series with Jamaica claiming a dramatic 26-23 win in Melbourne on Saturday. The upsets didn’t end there. The six-time winners of the Fast5 series, New Zealand, were beaten 37-30 by England.
The Australian game was in the balance until the final second with Tegan Philip’s game-tying super shot missing the mark to the delight of the Jamaican fans at Hisense Arena.Looking to build on their victory over Malawi in the opening match of the tournament, the Aussies could not find their shooting touch and committed 15 turnovers with Jamaica recording seven intercepts to Australia’s nil.
“Jamaica came out really hard and put out a good performance,” Australian captain Kate Moloney said after the loss. “We didn’t probably perform well enough in our power play quarter and that really hurt us.”
Neither side took full advantage of their power play quarters with Australia finishing with six points in the second quarter but then matching Jamaica’s eight points in the third to leave scores tied heading into the fourth period. But it was Jamaica who made the decisive break as Shanice Beckford landed a three-point super shot midway through the term and Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (16 for 17 from the inner circle) scoring the last three points to close out the match.
Jamaica produced a fourth quarter power play comeback to beat South Africa 37-29 in their opening match of the tournament and will face Malawi in their final match of day one. Australia now face a crucial clash with New Zealand to close out day one of competition with the loser facing an uphill battle to reach Sunday’s gold medal match.
Full-time: PNG 50-6 Wales
Rugby League World Cup
Well they got on the scoresheet in the end but I’m not sure it’s exactly a moment of celebration for Wales who have been comprehensively walloped by the Kumuls. Double figures on the try count for PNG.
Updated
W-League - Melbourne Victory 2-1 Canberra United
Dowie has fired Victory back in front against United. After a miserable season last time out, is this the start of a turnaround? Still another 25 minutes to go though.
Rugby league - PNG 50-0 Wales
The massacre of Port Moresby continues. Poor old Wales... and there’s still another five minutes to go. Can they get on the scoreboard? Surely that would feel like kind of a win at this stage. Then again, maybe not.
A-League - Phoenix 1-0 Roar
Well we’re off and running in Wellington - and then some. The Phoenix have scored against Roar with less than two minutes on the clock, a looping header from Kaludjerovic over the keeper.
Wallabies 31-28 Barbarians - AAP report
The Wallabies came from behind to record an unconvincing 31-28 win against the Barbarians in a scrappy exhibition match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Saturday’s five-tries-to-four win might have come at a high cost with forwards Lukhan Tui (hamstring) and Jack Dempsey (knee) leaving the field with injuries, putting them in some doubt for the tour of Japan and Europe.
The Barbarians led 21-12 at halftime after out-scoring the Wallabies three tries to two in the first 40 minutes, with the second-string Australian side struggling with their unstructured play.
Wallabies five-eighth Duncan Paia’aua opened the scoring with a try in the eighth minute after attacking from a five-metre scrum. Barbarians tight-head prop Taniela Tupou was denied a try in the 21st minute after they had employed the famous “up the jumper” ruse, which was banned by World Rugby after NSW Country used it in 1975 against Sydney.
The Barbarians broke away from the Wallabies after scoring three tries in five minutes to hooker Andrew Ready (24th minute), winger Taqele Naiyarovoro (27th) and winger Tom Banks (29th). Winger Henry Speight pulled the Wallabies back into the game with a try on halftime, beating two defenders in a strong run out wide.
The Wallabies narrowed the gap to 21-17 with a try to Dempsey in the 53rd minute. They regained the lead 24-21 with a second try to Paia’aua in the 61st minute after a big break by replacement centre Curtis Rona from a lineout. The Barbarians snuck back in front 28-26 in the 66th minute with a second try to Naiyarovoro after five-eighth Quade Cooper cross-kicked for Banks, who put the big winger away.
The visitors’ chances of holding on lessened when Naiyarovoro was given a yellow card in the 70th minute for a deliberate knock down, while Cooper was sin-binned a minute later for a high tackle on winger Israel Folau.
Veteran hooker Stephen Moore put the Wallabies back in front straight away, 31-28, after scoring from a rolling maul off a lineout.
Rugby union
Barbarians coach Alan Jones had some opinions after the Wallabies game. Asked what the he thought of the match, the usually timid and reserved* radio host replied: “Woeful, appalling I mean is this what rugby is about? The bloke (referee) was out of his depth ... Thank god I’m not involved in this game anymore.”
And would he consider taking on another coaching role? “Never ever again. Why bother? I was really pleased with the way we played ... in terms of what we were allowed to do, I was very pleased with it.”
*sarcasm alert
Updated
Cox Plate - AAP report
Winx has cemented her place as one of the all-time greats of Australian racing, winning the $3 million WS Cox Plate for the third year in a row. In joining Kingston Town as a three-time winner of Australia’s most prestigious weight-for-age race, Winx also took her sequence to 22 consecutive victories.
Winx also overtook Makybe Diva as Australia’s highest stakes earner when she held off Humidor in a closer-than-expected finish. Jockey Hugh Bowman was caught wide in the early stages before easing Winx to settle fifth in the running line. Winx began to improve her position from the 900m mark and had the lead on the turn with Humidor the only horse giving chase.
“She has gone down, she will go down as one of the greatest to grace the Australian turf,” Bowman said. “She would have before today but it has so much meaning to everyone in our industry.”
Starting a prohibitive favourite at $1.17, Winx held off Humidor ($31) to win by a long neck with Godolphin’s English-trained Folkswood ($26) finishing 4-1/4 lengths away third. Bowman said trainer Chris Waller deserved all the credit for guiding Winx on career that has netted an Australian record 15 Group One wins.
Updated
W-League
It’s all square at half-time in the clash between Melbourne Victory and Canberra United. McNabb headed Victory in front early on but Heyman restored parity after 25 minutes.
Cox Plate
Well that was heart-in-mouth time. For a second there I honestly thought Winx was going to be pipped - but that’s why she’s a champion who will go down in history. Even my laptop seems to be struggling after that one - might be time to put it out to stud.
Updated
Trainer Chris Waller: “It was close as you’d expect in a Cox Plate, you never know what’s going to happen on a race track... but gee Humidor gave us a hell a of a fight ... I’m pleased she’s done it for the crowd and most importantly for the horse.”
Updated
Champion jockey Hugh Bowman on racing Winx to victory. “It’s been such a build-up. I’m lost for words. She’s made history. I was born the year Kingston Town won his first Cox Plate. To think she’s emulated the great (Kingston Town) ... but we are in the presence of greatness. She will be recognised as one of the greatest horses to grace the Australian turf.”
Updated
Winx wins Cox Plate!
Winx has done it! But it was a lot nervier than everyone thought it would be. A late challenge from Humidor but the champion held on. Just.
Updated
Horse racing
Here we go. The horses are close to the barriers. Less than a minute to go before this year’s Cox Plate kicks off. History awaits for Winx.
Updated
Rugby league
Just enough time before we head to the Cox Plate for an update on the Wales v PNG game. It’s all going according to plan for the Kumuls - they’re 26-0 ahead at Port Moresby.
Updated
Full-time: Wallabies 31-28 Barbarians
Well it’s a bit of a damp ending to what was shaping up to be an entertaining finish until those sin-bins. There’s still time for a scrum after the siren, but the Wallabies win a penalty and that’s all she wrote.
Updated
79 mins: Time ticking down... and Dempsey’s injury means there’s only a one-man advantage for the Wallabies. A chink of light for the BaaBaas.
77 mins: Bit of a break in play as Dempsey goes down with a leg injury. That doesn’t look good. Off he hobbles. In fact he’s not even hobbling, one leg is being dragged along the pitch. Eesh.
Updated
77 mins: Can the BaaBaas come back from this? In a word - no. They’re battling though, fair play. They probably feel a bit hard done by, and rightly so, but they’re just too short on numbers to get something.
Conversion! Wallabies 31-28 Barbarians
75 mins: And the Wallabies make good on the conversion. Alan Jones is down by Cooper having a few words - something he’s never short of.
TRY! Wallabies 29-28 Barbarians - Moore
74 mins: A rolling maul and Moore barges over the line. It’s a shame the match is ending this way, it could have been genuinely exciting - instead we’re just waiting for the inevitable now.
Updated
73 mins: Well it’s hardly the same level of intensity as last week’s All Blacks clash, but it looks like we’re in for a nail-biting final few minutes here. Folau goes down under a high tackle from Cooper. Bit of a stoppage but no damage done - but the referee sees it otherwise and Cooper is off. The BaaBaas really up against it now.
70 mins: In the bin for try hero Naiyaravoro - perfect chance for the Wallabies to take advantage near the try line.
Updated
An absolute peach of a cross-kick from @QuadeCooper sets up a try for @Barbarian_FC, through Naiyaravoro. They lead 28-24 #BARvAUS
— Sam Bruce (@Sambruce86) October 28, 2017
Conversion! Wallabies 24-28 Barbarians - Cooper
69 mins: Cooper adds the extras. Game on.
TRY! Wallabies 24-26 Barbarians - Naiyaravoro
68 mins: Brilliant kick from Cooper to find Banks on the opposite wing. He draws his man into the tackle and hands it over to Naiyaravoro, who’s left with a simple try.
Updated
66 mins: The Wallabies just starting to up the pressure. Moore has made a difference since he came on - there’s just been a bit of extra grunt to those tackles in the middle of the park. The BaaBaas are still battling though.
65 mins: Jones making some changes. Rangi on for Ready. They were just starting to look a little tired. A scrum for the Wallabies now, who will be looking to keep up the pressure.
Conversion! Wallabies 24-22 Barbarians
63 mins: The kick is good and the Wallabies have a bit of breathing space for the first time since the very start of the match.
TRY! Wallabies 22-21 Barbarians - Paia'aua
61 mins: Rona with a great run, brought down near the line and Paia’aua is on hand to grab the pop up and cross the line. The Wallabies are ahead.
Updated
59 mins: If the first half was a pendulum this half is a stalemate, both sides struggling to create any sort of momentum. Just when it looked like the Wallabies were starting to turn the screw the BaaBaas charge up the field to turn the tables. Very little in it.
Updated
Dempsey crashes over and the @qantaswallabies draw back to within 4!
— TEN Sport (@tensporttv) October 28, 2017
🐑 21-17 🇦🇺 #BARvAUS pic.twitter.com/FgXUais9wx
#BARvAUS great throw about rugby. Good bit of scrambling d from both sides making for an entertaining game
— Golden Suits (@GoldenSuit) October 28, 2017
TRY! Wallabies 17-21 Barbarians - Dempsey
54 mins: Good, strong work from the Wallabies - nothing fancy, and Dempsey is the man who barges his way over the line. The conversion is missed though.
Updated
52 mins: It’s still a tussle in the middle, but there seems to be more intensity to it. McCalman shows his strength to aaaallmost burst through the line before being dragged down. Better from the Wallabies.
Updated
50 mins: Hunt has done OK at fullback, nothing outstanding, but then no one on the Wallabies team has really distinguished themselves. Still time though. The Wallabies just starting to edge closer to the try line. They have a scrum in a good position now.
49 mins: Moore on for the Wallabies. Replaces Uelese. Big cheer from the crowd - as well they should.
46 mins: It’s turned into a bit of a tussle in the middle of the park. Neither side taking the game by the scruff of the neck. The BaaBaas will be the happier with that situation.
43 mins: The commentators have a bit of a chat with Cheika. “Here’a a match where there’s an opportunity and I think their (Wallabies) mindset is a little bit soft... there are some little things we need to fix technically but I think more than anything it’s about mindset,” says the coach.
It’s fair to say it’s not the worst thing in the world if some of the Aussies in the BaaBaas side outplay the Wallabies today. In fact it’s arguably win-win for Cheika - with the obvious drawback of having Alan Jones lording it over him if the Barnabybarians win.
Updated
Second half
41 mins: Peeeep! And away we go again. Hunt with the high kick and the Barbarians charge forward well... but then give away a penalty. Poor discipline has cost them today - although obviously not that much as they’re still nine points clear.
Half-time: Wallabies 12-21 Barbarians
So the Wallabies bring it back to nine points right at the death. Much needed it has to be said.
Updated
Conversion! Wallabies 12-21 Barbarians
40 mins: Over it goes and that will give the Wallabies a huge boost heading into the break.
TRY! Wallabies 10-21 Barbarians - Speight
40 mins: They’re in! Right on the siren. Great footwork and strength from Speight to lose his men on the wing. They needed that.
39 mins: Bit of a stop-start finish to the half. One last chance for the Wallabies from a scrum. It’s on the halfway mark but they’re still going.
Updated
37 mins: A few wayward passes, some poor combinations... it’s all adding up to frustration for the Wallabies. The Barbarians will be thrilled if they go into the sheds with this scoreline. Hunt with an excellent tackle to cut short a BaaBaas attack.
Updated
35 mins: Can the Wallabies nick something back before half-time? They’ve spent the last five minutes in the BaaBaas half but need to get over the line. Cooper kicks it away to buy the Barbarians some time. The Wallabies look frustrated.
33 mins: Time for the Wallabies to take a breath methinks. The BaaBaas don’t even look like they’re trying very hard - just enjoying the moment. The Wallabies are the side who look like they’ve just been cobbled together.
Updated
Conversion! Wallabies 5-21 Barbarians - Cooper
32mins: Unerring accuracy from Cooper again. How fast things can change.
TRY! Wallabies 5-19 Barbarians - Banks
30 mins: Talk about everything clicking together. After looking disjointed in the opening 10 minutes, the Barbarians are now putting on a show. Banks this time, using his pace to sprint clear after a break from the BaaBaas from their own half.
Updated
Conversion! Wallabies 5-14 Barbarians - Cooper
29 mins: Cooper makes no mistake again. This game has completely swung one way to the other.
TRY! Wallabies 5-12 Barbarians - Naiyaravoro
28 mins: Lovely stuff from the BaaBaas, Nanai-Williams with a great ball inside to send Naiyaravoro over the line. Good build-up work.
Updated
A little bit of trickery from @Barbarian_FC there! Up the jumper...but it's called back! #BARvAUS pic.twitter.com/wODOStcD1O
— TEN Sport (@tensporttv) October 28, 2017
Conversion! Wallabies 5-7 Barbarians - Cooper
26 mins: Cooper slots it home and the BaaBaas are ahead.
Updated
TRY! Wallabies 5-5 Barbarians - Ready
25 mins: There it is. Ready uses his strength to bundle himself over under pressure from two Wallabies players. Good work from the BaaBaas - and they’re deservedly level.
Updated
24 mins: Well that moment of levity seems to have lifted the BaaBaas who are still battering away at the Wallabies line. Still no signs of a gap yet. Maybe they should try shoving the ball down their shorts next time.
Tupou denied a master stroke try #BARvAUS
— Steve Lenthall (@steve_l15) October 28, 2017
22 mins: The momentum has swung the other way completely, the BaaBaas calling the shots. Ha! The old ball up the jumper trick from Tupou - who gets over the line but it’s all for naught as the referee explains the rules of the game. Unsportsmanlike. Funny though.
Updated
19 mins: That said it’s hardly a familiar Wallabies side either. The Barnabybarians getting a lot more of the ball now, and importantly it’s in the Wallabies half too. They’ve not really had a sniff of the line yet. It’s coming though.
17 mins: The BaaBaas look as you’d expect for a side who haven’t played together much - talented in fits and starts but struggling for a bit of consistent play. The last few minutes have been a bit more promising though, it’s possible they’ll sync up more as the game goes on. They’ve got a scrum deep in Wallabies territory.
Updated
14 mins: It’s been all Wallabies so far - although a tip of the hat to Palu for that boom of a tackle. A good charge up the right flank releases some of the pressure but an intercept from Speight stops the attack from turning into something more dangerous.
The @qantaswallabies are out to a 5-0 lead after Duncan Paia'aua jinks through the line for the first try of the afternoon #BARvAUS pic.twitter.com/feALOiCzo3
— TEN Sport (@tensporttv) October 28, 2017
.@Barbarian_FC Palu can still knock the opposition into next week. #boomfa #BARvAUS 0-5
— GaijinWozza (@myrugbyblog) October 28, 2017
13 mins: Monster hit from Palu on Uelese. Groans all around the stadium. You love it really.
TRY! Wallabies 5-0 Barbarians - Paia'aua
10 mins: Over they go. That has been coming. A scrum between the posts and the Wallabies are over courtesy of Paia’aua. He misses the conversion though.
Updated
9 mins: Ill-discipline is costing the Barnabybarians... although not on the scoreboard so far. The Wallabies have so far eschewed the chance to kick for goal, as you’d expect, but the pressure will surely tell soon enough anyway.
7 mins: The Wallabies with their first meaningful charge towards the try line. They test the BaaBaas line but they manage to hold them at bay. It all came from another penalty for the Wallabies. It’ll be a long day for the BaaBaas if they keep giving them away.
5 mins: Blood on the shirts already. Both sides mean business, shame it’s a small crowd although not entirely unexpected considering the ARU’s Rugby Australia’s approach to the game.
3 min: Solid hands from Folau under the high ball. He will be missed during his break. Couple of early pens to the Wallabies puts pressure on the Baabaas. Can the hosts make it count?
Kick-off
1 min: Peeeeeep! And we’re off. Cooper gets us under way. He’ll be out to prove a point today. He’s got that face on him.
Rugby
This Barbarians team has plenty of Aussies with a smattering of other nationalities thrown in ... so a bit like the Australian parliament then. The Barnabybarians would probably be a better name.
Updated
Rugby
Out come the sides. Anthem time. Should be interesting considering the number of Aussies in the BaaBaas side.
Rugby
Here are the line-ups for the Wallabies v Baabaas. All eyes on Karmichael Hunt as he auditions for the fullback spot. There are a few other players who will be hoping to put their hands up too.
Wallabies: 1 Tom Robertson; 2 Jordan Uelese; 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Kane Douglas; 5 Lukhan Tui; 6 Ned Hanigan; 7 Jack Dempsey; 8 Lopeti Timani; 9 Nick Phipps; 10 Duncan Paia’aua; 11 Israel Folau; 12 Billy Meakes; 13 Samu Kerevi; 14 Henry Speight; 15 Karmichael Hunt. Reserves: 16 Stephen Moore; 17 Tetera Faulkner; 18 Jermaine Ainsley; 19 Liam Wright; 20 Ben McCalman; 21 Joe Powell; 22 Curtis Rona; 23 Izaia Perese
Barbarians: 1 Pekahou Cowan; 2 Andrew Ready; 3 Taniela Tupou; 4 Luke Jones; 5 Sam Carter; 6 Isi Naisarani; 7 Matt Hodgson; 8 Wycliff Palu; 9 Augustine Pulu; 10 Quade Cooper; 11 Eto Nabuli; 12 George Moala; 13 Tom Banks;14 Taqele Naiyaravoro; 15. Nanai-Williams. Reserves: 16 Anaru Rangi; 17 Ben Alexander; 18 Salesi Manu; 19 Matt Philip; 20 Kane Koteka; 21 Strang; 22 Greene; 23 Kellaway
Preamble
Afternoon everyone and welcome to today’s sportwatch. Grab yourself a napkin and a paper plate because there’s a veritable* smorgasbord of sport awaiting your consumption today, and yours truly will be dishing out the delicacies one morsel at a time for the next eight hours - which is only slightly longer than it took to use VAR technology in last night’s A-League game.
Netball
First on the menu today we have the annual thrill-fest that is Fast5 Netball. There are nine games in all in Melbourne with Australia featuring in three – in fact they’ve already trounced Malawi 34-21 in the opener. They’re back in action against Jamaica at 4pm but I might dip in and out of the other games if/when time allows. South Africa are currently 14-13 ahead against Jamaica.
Rugby
Today’s first big clash is the Wallabies against the Barbarians – although it’s more Wallabies-lite than the All Blacks-conquering kings of last week. Despite that, it’s still an important run out for Michael Chieka’s team as he looks towards next month’s tour, specifically with the opening game against Japan in mind. It’s also a chance to farewell Folau before his big break from the game. He’s on the wing so fingers crossed for some fireworks.
Rugby league
After last night’s impressive opener between the Kangaroos and England, the World Cup gets into full swing today, hopping across three countries with a trio of intriguing games. It’s the PNG Kumuls v Wales up first, then the Kiwis take on Samoa followed by the US versus Fiji in Townsville. No prizes for picking out the favourites in those three clashes.
Horse racing
It’s Winx. It’s the Cox Plate. I shouldn’t really have to say anything else. However I will put up this classic song by Brummie reggae popsters UB40. Godspeed Hugh Bowman. History beckons.
W-League
It’s back! Riding on the back of the Matildas’ many successes in recent months, the W-League returns with high expectations. Will it deliver? Well last night’s opening two games provided nine goals between them, so let’s hope for more of the same today when last season’s premiers Canberra take on wooden-spooners Melbourne Victory.
A-League
The Phoenix kick off today’s A-League action against Brisbane with both sides still chasing their first win of the season. They may have only one point to show for it, but the Phoenix have been impressive in their three games so far and there’s an unusual whiff of optimism in the air around Wellington. In contrast, it’s not so much a whiff as a stink around Brisbane after three straight defeats. A sniff of victory today would ease the pressure on John Aloisi. In the evening kick-off, Adelaide take on early pace-setters Melbourne City, who have been solid rather than spectacular in their three victories so far. Adelaide should provide one of their sternest tests so far, although the Reds’ cause has been hampered by a midweek game and a few knocks to key players.
*Anyone who can remind me who said “why do all smorgasbords have to be veritable?” wins a free tour of Guardian Towers.
Updated
Richard will be here shortly. In the meantime, remind yourselves of what happened in last night’s Rugby League World Cup opener.
Updated
